Apezococcus Ferris 1955

Miller, Douglass R. & Stocks, Ian C., 2022, New genera and species of felt scales (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Eriococcidae), with descriptions of new species and immature instars of described species, Zootaxa 5221 (1), pp. 1-213 : 39

Apezococcus Ferris 1955

Apezococcus Ferris 1955: 79 . Type species: Apezococcus idiastes Ferris 1955 , by original designation and monotypy.

Diagnosis of adult female: Anal lobes absent; enlarged setae on dorsum and venter, with broad bases, setal ring thick; dorsal flagellate setae restricted to abdomen; microtubular ducts on both body surfaces; macrotubular ducts absent; multilocular pores restricted to venter; cruciform pores on both body surfaces; anal ring without setae; legs absent except for remnant of hind legs represented by large plate; antennae reduced; spiracles abnormally large.

Diagnosis of second-instar female: Same as adult female except legs represented by small rudiments.

Diagnosis of first-instar nymph: Same as adult female except enlarged setae restricted to dorsum; dorsal flagellate setae scattered over entire surface; microtubular ducts absent; cruciform pores on venter only; anal ring with 3 pairs of setae; legs well-developed, without claw denticle; antennae each 6-segmented; spiracles not unusually large.

Etymology: The genus epithet Apezococcus is formed from the Greek prefix “ a ” meaning “without,” the Greek “ pezos ” meaning “on foot” and the Greek “ kokkos” meaning “round structure” or “scale insect”, and refers to the lack of legs on this scale insect. The generic name is a masculine noun.

Field features: Adult female nearly bare of waxy secretions, not forming an ovisac. Occurring in grass sheaths.